It’s no secret that we love pumpkin around here, bringing you tons of ideas for drinks and sweets and even dog treats. Today, we’re all about the less-saccharine side of pumpkin, and we’ve scoured the web to bring you 30 terrific savory pumpkin recipes. Of course, we still have you covered in the pumpkin department even if you don’t want to eat any of the orange stuff — give these adorable, pumpkin-shaped biscuits a try, they’re super easy and totally squash-free, promise!
1. Pumpkin and Cheese Stuffed Shells: Kid-tested, Auntie-approved, these stuffed shells win over stuffed shell and pumpkin haters (they do exist!) alike. The addition of pumpkin lends a healthful, flavorful twist to the usual cheese filling. (via An Edible Mosaic)
2. Roasted Cheese Pumpkin: A lovely centerpiece for your holiday appetizer spread, this enticing combination of pumpkin stuffed with layers of bread, cheese and cream is sure to be a hit! (via Food52)
3. Roasted Pumpkin Salad: Roasted pumpkin and sweet, roasted red onions are nestled atop wild rice to create a beautiful, autumn-inspired salad. Drizzled with a creamy, cilantro-honey-sunflower seed dressing, it works just as well as a vegetarian dinner or side dish. (via 101 Cookbooks)
4. Ham and Cheese Stuffed Pumpkin Spice French Toast Waffles: What we have here is a Monte Cristo sandwich-meets-waffle — one that’s stuffed with pumpkin, cheese and ham for a wicked savory-sweet flavor combo. All that alone is sure to blow a lot of minds, but you can go for bonus points by making your challah from scratch! (via The Noshery)
5. Kolokithopita (Savory Greek Pumpkin Pie): Not your typical American pumpkin pie, this traditional Greek dish combines pumpkin with a blend of salty cheeses, caramelized onions and rice all sandwiched between layers of flaky phyllo dough. (via My Retro Kitchen)
6. Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good: Talk about multitasking, this recipe knocks out two Thanksgiving sides at once — a veg and the stuffing! Keep scrolling down the page after you click for a vegetarian, gluten-free variation that sounds just as tasty. (via Cheese and Chocolate)
7. Pepita and Spice-crusted Salmon with Butternut Squash Hash: No shortage of orange here — salmon fillets coated with a warm spice blend and crunchy, nutty crust pair beautifully with the included recipe for sweet potato and butternut squash hash. Pick up pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds) at your local market, or DIY ’em using the seeds from any of the whole pumpkin recipes here! (via From the Little Yellow Kitchen)
8. Pumpin on Lentil and Couscous Galette (Vegetarian): A multi-grain crust forms the base of this savory galette topped with an Indian-inspired array of goodies and a judicious amount of cheese. Bringing it all together: a topping of garam masala-roasted pumpkin. (via Food Fashion)
9. Roasted Pumpkin and Smoked Blue Cheese Lasagne: Easily tailor this small-batch lasagne to your taste by switching out the smoked blue cheese for gorgonzola or goat cheese. A great recipe for the red sauce-averse! (via Naturally Ella)
10. Pumpkin Feta Muffins: Wouldn’t these savory muffins make a fantastic addition to your Thanksgiving bread basket? (via The Flour Sack)
11. Carrot-Pumpkin Soup: Reduce the amount of coconut milk used in this bright soup with a tropical tilt to create a tasty dipping sauce for raw vegetables and more — a fantastic twofer! (via She’s Cookin’)
12. Stuffed Shells with Pumpkin Parmesan Sauce: A batch of these meat-stuffed shells smothered in a creamy, roasted pumpkin sauce would be lovely on their own, or alongside the pumpkin and cheese shells above. Make them veggie-friendly by subbing a variety of mushrooms for the sausage and vegetable stock for chicken. (via Feasting at Home)
13. Risotto with Pumpkin and Parmigiano-Reggiano: Whether you’re a pro at ordering risotto in a restaurant or can practically make it in your sleep, you’ll love this guide to making a perfectly creamy, pumpkin-laced Italian favorite at home. An optional topping of crumbled amaretti adds a touch of nutty sweetness and textural interest alongside fried sage leaves. (via The Culinary Institute of America)
14. Roasted Pumpkin with Garlic, Sweet Potatoes and Cherry Tomatoes: Serve this maple-spiked, roasted veggie hodgepodge alongside your Thanksgiving turkey (or any meat, really) or as a main course atop cooked grains — farro, wild rice, quinoa . . . all of the above or whatever you like, really! (via Williams-Sonoma)
15. Pumpkin Gnocchi: Get a double dose of pumpkin with this recipe for homemade pumpkin gnocchi in pumpkin cream sauce. Too much squash action for you? Toss classic potato gnocchi in the sauce instead! (via Proud Italian Cook)
16. Roasted Pumpkin Quiche with Caramelized Onions, Gorgonzola and Sage: Using packaged phyllo dough in place of pie crust adds a touch of elegance (and ease) to this fabulous quiche — a great recipe to make for brunch all fall long! (via Eats Well With Others)
17. Pepita Pesto (Vegan): Hulled pumpkin seeds stand in for pine nuts and cheesy-tasting nutritional yeast for Parm in this vegan take on classic basil pesto. (via Don’t (White) Sugar Coat It)
18. Calabaza Hash (Vegetarian): Rocking so much fall produce — pumpkin, potato, corn, onion — this well-seasoned, vegetarian hash becomes terrific, autumnal brunch eats when topped with a poached egg. (via Tasting Table)
19. Pumpkin-Chickpea Curry: Pumpkin marries with cinnamon and an assortment of other warming spices in this terrific curry. As it simmers away on the stove, your home is sure to be perfumed with a tantalizing aroma. (via Saveur)
20. Chipotle, Pumpkin and Broccoli Pizza with Bacon and Gouda: Topped with a spicy chipotle-pumpkin sauce along with plenty of cheese and bacon (leave off the broccoli if you want, we won’t tell), this pizza would be a hit at your next football viewing party or even as a Thanksgiving appetizer with some kick! (via Half Baked Harvest)
21. Pumpkin, Arugula and Quinoa Salad: Healthy-yet-hearty, with a nice peppery flavor from the arugula, this salad is great served hot or cold, meaning any leftovers can be tossed in your lunchbox the next day. (via Sobeys)
22. Wild Rice-Stuffed Pumpkin (Vegan, Gluten-free): Brimming with whole grains, vegetables, nuts and beans this is wonderful, naturally gluten-free and vegan variation on the classic Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good. (via Vegetarian Times)
23. Pumpkin-Pork Enchiladas: Homemade carnitas and roasted pumpkin fill rolled tortillas in this oh-so-perfect-for-fall Mexican-inspired dish. If that wasn’t enough, it’s all smothered in a pan dripping-pumpkin-chili enchilada sauce, baked and then topped with queso freso — feta or ricotta salata will do in a pinch — and crunchy pumpkin seeds. Whoa. (via Better with Butter)
24. Pumpkin Chili (Vegetarian): Have you been searching for a kid-friendly, crowd-pleasing, I-can’t-believe-this-is-vegetarian chili recipe? Well, this is it. Generously topped with the usual chili accouterments, no one will miss the meat! (via theKitchn)
25. Cheddar-Pumpkin Wonton Cups: These little bundles of cheesy pumpkin goodness are baked, not fried! The double dose of onion in the form of caramelized onions and scallions lends a great layering of flavors; a clever, albeit slightly messy, appetizer idea. (via Sundae Brunch)
26. Pumpkin Fritters with Rosemary and Cheese: Time to get out your deep fryer! Crisp on the outside and pancake-y in the middle, these savory pumpkin fritters laced with a touch of rosemary and cheese are nothing short of perfection. (via What About Second Breakfast)
27. Pumpkin Knots: How adorable are these rolls? A nice riff on a classic dinner roll, they can even be made ahead of time to give you one less thing to worry about on Thanksgiving day — simply freeze and thaw in the oven alongside everything else! (via Bright Shiny Things)
28. Pumpkin Stuffed with Fontina, Italian Sausage and Macaroni: We’re always looking for new, creative ways to make homemade macaroni and cheese, this one fits the bill. First, you bake a pumpkin most of the way through, then its filled with pasta and sausage folded into a from-scratch sauce and back into the oven it goes — not your ordinary casserole! (via Savory Simple)
29. Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes: Pumpkin and potato pair up in this umami-rich mash that’s nothing short of savory. (via Steamy Kitchen)
30. Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Goat Cheese and Pomegranate: Twice-cooked cubes of pumpkin are transformed into “croutons” in this clever salad packed with tons of texture and seasonal flair. Totally an ideal candidate for your holiday table! (via Three Square Meals)
Tell us, what’s your favorite savory way to prepare pumpkin? Don’t be shy if it’s only a sweet thing for you, we’d love to hear how you enjoy using it, too!